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[2022.1] Historical Flags and Identification Booklet

Current version: 1.4.5



Historical Flags and Identification Booklet (or simply Historical Flags, HF) is a mod that adds historically accurate ensigns and flags for 75+ countries and territories from the WWII era as well as a fully functional in-game flag identification booklet.

HF covers civil ensigns, naval ensigns, and national flags where appropriate. HF modifies the ensigns flown on ships' models, flags on docks in ports, the groups & entities icons on the map, and the small flags on the target list (either the ones when selecting an officer at a targeting station or at mission debriefing).

This mod is savegame compatible but clearing the cache folder is recommended.

If you are not using mods like UBE or Living Uboat consider enabling the Flags Diversity submod to be able to see many of the HF flags in vanilla convoys!

The in-game booklet UI can be used in the periscope or UZO to recognise flags. It covers allied, neutral, and axis ships and has a working table of contents with links for easy navigation. Below are two images explaining how to use it (note the toggle button now starts at the bottom left corner of the screen).




Note: prior to v1.3.5 the toggle button could appear outside of the screen. This should be fixed now but if it happens again please reduce the UI zoom with the “page down” button and you should see it appear. It can then be dragged to a better position.

HF includes the historical German flags with swastikas. If you want to enable “safe mode” do as follows:

• Navigate to the mod folder, which should be \Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\494840\2397616976;
  
• Open the HF.xlsx in the Data Sheets folder;
  
• Change the SafeMode value from False to True in the Settings tab (see image below). Attention! Make sure to write True, not true or TRUE;
  
• Save and exit.

This change can be done (and reversed) without needing to start a new game.

In case of troubles with the incorrect flag loading on your submarine, that is, getting the “unsafe” version if you wanted the “safe” one or vice-versa, you can also use this console command to fix it:

• Open the console with ` (or equivalent on your keyboard);
  
• Type reloadflag all in minuscules; this should automatically reload the appropriate flag;
  
• If there are troubles you can also use reloadflag safe and reloadflag unsafe to specifically load the flag listed.

HF is aiming at maximum historical realism, however in some cases we chose to prioritise diversity over exact accuracy.

For example, Free French ships will always use the flag with the croix de Lorraine[en.wikipedia.org] to differentiate themselves from Vichy France. Another example is that all the Commonwealth navies will share the White Ensign[en.wikipedia.org] in the 3D world and on most of the UI elements, except for the visible target list and the list of ship sunk at the end of a patrol, so you can see what countries the ship you sunk actually were from!

Also, in version 1.2+ the flags are not changed dynamically so we are "stuck" with one set of flags for the whole 1939-45 period. I have found ways to modify them dynamically so this will be part of a future update.

The preview image is for illustration only and is not an exhaustive list of flags in the mod. Full list of included countries here.


This version is compatible with 2022.1, B131, B130, B129, and B128 but if you want the frozen B128 v1.3 mod you can find it here.

• HF is compatible with any version of the game but pre-129 launchers may throw an error (it will still work).
  
• HF is designed to work with U-Boat Expanded
  
• HF should be compatible with LIVING UBOAT
  
• HF is not compatible with any other flags mod that alter the German flag

Full changelog is available here.

• V1.4.5 – New method for safe patch based on datasheets; fixed a bug that could switch British ship to the Blue Ensign once they were sinking under rare circumstances; made it that the flags in Gibraltar can sometimes show the Gibraltar's Crown Colony ensign instead of the British Blue Ensign; released companion submod to increase chance of seeing more flags in vanilla convoys & transports groups.
  
• V1.4.4 – Fixed a bug in the ports of la Rochelle and Bergen before they have submarine pens that caused issues with both unsafe & safe flags.
  
• V1.4.3 – Hot fix for a material error that could lead to wrong flags for British ships.
  
• V1.4.2 – Fixed issue with Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers showing their true flag on the boat even if under a false flag.
  
• V1.4.1 – Added War-class tankers to group flying the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ensign.
  
• V1.4.0 – Updated manifest for 2022.1; new flags graphics by Jim (VG); new material allowing proper transparency on non-rectangular flags; new activation icon graphic by Jim (VG); added El Salvador; changed the GB port flags to the Blue Ensign to better represent shore establishment usage; added specific ensign (defaced Blue Ensign) for classes of ships under the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; new code method to ensure safe patching after previous method was made unworkable by update.

• New booklet UI.
  
• Dynamic flags based on historical dates.

Moronic political comments complaining about "censorship" of the Nazi flags in games and other media will not be tolerated. In particular, trying to argue why the Soviet flag is not treated the same way as the Nazi flags will expose you as the political ignoramus that you are. Preserve your dignity, don't do it.